Us & Iris

Poet Jacqueline Suskin writes about irises & the day I photographed her

I photographed Jacqueline Suskin at the end of May. I tattooed her several months prior and already knew that I loved her energy and was excited to spend the day taking her photo. Photographing people is a unique way of learning about them and something I’m grateful I get to do. I love to photograph artists!
Since moving to Detroit in 2016 I’ve taken thousands of photos on Belle Isle and every shoot on the island feels uniquely special. After this particular shoot we were both left with a feeling that I couldn’t quite describe - it was euphoric and colorful. Perhaps it’s just what happens when winter is over and the flowers are blooming and your skin is finally kissed by spring’s warm promise.
I joked that Jacqueline’s job as a poet is to write about feelings that are hard to articulate, and she did a beautiful job writing about our time by the irises. I took these photos almost three months ago - let this offering remind you that summer must end so it can begin again.

Jacqueline Suskin is a poet and educator who has been teaching workshops, writing books, hosting retreats and creating spontaneous poetry around the world since 2009.